Kind-hearted members of a Norwich church have given an amazing £1,500 boost to our campaign to raise funds for domestic abuse charity Leeway in memory of Norwich mother Kerri McAuley.

Pastor Tom Rawls, front centre, with a few of the Proclaimers Church congregation who have raised £1500 for the EDP Kerri's campaign during their Christmas concert. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

The generous donation means we now have just £2,500 left to raise of our £10,000 target for Kerri’s Campaign which will help to fund the cost of kitting out Leeway’s new domestic violence safe house.

Ms McAuley was brutally murdered by her ex-partner Joe Storey in January. Ms McAuley’s family - including her mother Lesley - have given their support to our campaign and said the 32-year-old mother-of-two would have been proud of it.

Tom Rawls, lead pastor of Proclaimers Church at The Space in Rowntree Way, said he decided the church’s three Christmas Concerts should raise funds for the campaign after reading one of our stories last week.

“I was inspired by the article in the EDP and rang Leeway straight away to inform them of the church’s intention to fundraise,” he said.

Friends and family of Kerri McAuley help launch the 'Kerri's Campaign' to raise £10K for Leeway. Picture: Nick Butcher

“When I saw the story I thought we need to do something.

“One of the girls at the church works at Leeway and with our work in the community we have had to consult with them on a number of occasions.

“I was very, very inspired by the campaign and really wanted to do something to help with the church.

“It was tragic the way that Kerri died and the fact that hope was just a short phone call away.”

Friends and family of Kerri McAuley help launch the 'Kerri's Campaign' to raise Â£10K for Leeway.
Kerri's mum Lesley with the campaign top.
Picture: Nick Butcher

He said the whole church community had rallied around to make the impressive donation.

“I want to say thank you very, very much to people. We had some great responses from the community all around us, so many people were moved to give money. Many thanks to all the people who gave to the campaign.

“We are very pleased to be able to help Leeway. They do a phenomenal job - we support them and the work they are doing.”

During Proclaimers’ Christmas Concerts they also reported that they had distributed more than 350 hampers providing a complete Christmas dinner for families in need.